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God’s Best Gift in the Worst of Times

God’s Best Gift in the Worst of Times

Last updated on: June 13, 2018 at 10:38 pm by Jim Erwin

God’s Best Gift in the Worst of Times 2018-06-13T22:38:09-05:00 Jim Erwin

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God’s Best Gift in the Worst of Times

INTRODUCTION: “WHO WILL I BE?” GAME

Why did I quiz you in this way? It is because this is how it was for the people during the birth of Jesus Christ. Everyone knew enough information about His Coming that they could probably determine when He would come. Let me share with you a list of prophecies that were fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born. Notice that sprinkled all through the Old Testament, there is enough information that the people could see the Messiah when He came.

LIST OF PROPHETIC CLUES ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

In summary, what are the marks of identification of the Deliverer who would and now has come?

A male child, a son (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 9:6)
A child born in the line of Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Jesse, David, and Solomon.
A physical descendant of David and legal heir to the throne through Solomon, yet not a physical descendant through Jeconiah.
A child born of a virgin in circumstances which validate the fact of a virgin birth as seen in Matthew 1 and Luke 1.
A descendent of David, son of Jesse, but not until the tenth generation after Perez.
Born around 4 A.D. in accordance with the prophecy of Daniel 9:24f.
One who would be preceded by a forerunner who would prepare the way as did John the Baptist (Mal. 3:1; Mark 1:1-4).
Born in Bethlehem of Judea (Mic. 5:2).
Born of circumstances that would identify Him as the Savior and the Star of David, the long-awaited Deliver (Luke 2:9-14; Num. 24:17; Matt. 2:1-9).
One whose life would also fulfill the many other Old Testament prophecies regarding Messiah.

The scene is set at the beginning of this chapter. It felt like the worst of times for the nation of Israel.

Now daughter who is under attack, you slash yourself in grief; a siege is set against us! They are striking the judge of Israel on the cheek with a rod.

(Micah 5:1 HCSB)

But God is getting ready to send the people of Israel a gift.

Prophecy is like guessing about a gift that has been sent to you and you want to know what it is.

ACTIVITY: GUESS YOUR GIFT

JESUS CHRIST AS RULER

The Great Ruler will enter His kingdom from a humble place

Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me.

(Micah 5:2 HCSB)

It was said in (5:1), Israel will be humbled as the land is attacked and the people are conquered. Jesus, their new Ruler, will also come from a humble place. Bethlehem Ephrathah was the southern Bethlehem. It means literally “House of Bread and Abundance or Fruitfulness.”

Bethlehem was also the home of King David. So to the people, it was a reminder: “Remember the great king I sent before?” “Remember where he came from?” Yes, that’s right. I am going to do it again. I am going to send even a better ruler than King David. This guy will listen exactly to what I say.

The Great Ruler will originate from a heavenly place.

…His origin is from antiquity, from eternity.

(Micah 5:2 HCSB)

He might be born in a humble place, but this Ruler originates in Heaven. There are many verses to describe this reality:

The Great Ruler will come a first time to save us and then go back to Heaven to return a second time to rule us.

Therefore, He will abandon them until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the people of Israel.

(Micah 5:3 HCSB)

We know from history that Jesus was born, He died, and that He resurrected and went back to Heaven. But at the time of Micah, they did not understand that Jesus would do this. They did not understand that God had in mind the possibility of bringing everyone into His kingdom, not just His people from Israel. Jesus would come and rule in our hearts before He would come to rule on this earth.

Jesus has to do it that way. Before God opens the gifts He wants to give us in our lives, He has to see that we are ready to receive them. Do you give your five-year-old a car? You might give them a toy car, but not a real one. Why not? They are not mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with the gift. The same is true with us. Jesus has to change our hearts before He can rule us. Jesus has to change my life before He will ever lead it.

It is like knowing you are going to get a gift at Christmas. You asked for a gift from Santa, or from someone special. So you know what is probably going to be in that box. You just have to wait until it is under the Christmas tree to open the present.

So the same is with Jesus Christ. He was going to be born. The people knew this. Some waited for this gift. The people who waited on this gift from God knew that Christ would help them in the worst of times (the wise men, the shepherds, Mary and Joseph). Others despised it (King Herod). The same is true for us today. There are many people out there looking for Jesus Christ. They want God to give them a gift that will help them during their worst of times. So they pray for God to reveal Himself and help them. What does God do? He says: “Look at My Son this Christmas.” I have sent you the best gift this year.

So the question I have for you this morning: What gift would you accept from God today? Santa (or Satan) says that you have to be good to get gifts. Santa (or Satan) knows when you are naughty and nice. God knows that too. But God chooses to accept you no matter whether you are naughty or nice.

But God is not just interested in giving you gifts so that you will change your character. God is interested in giving you gifts so that He can reveal to you the life that you never thought would have. What does that look like?

The Great Ruler will begin to rule over those who choose Him and those who don’t choose Him.

He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of Yahweh, in the majestic name of Yahweh His God. They will live securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth. There will be peace…

(Micah 5:4-5 HCSB)

In the end, everyone will come under the rule of Christ. You and I will voluntarily submit to His authority, or we will be oppressed by it. I know that sounds strange. Either He will be a benevolent King who leads you or He will be a Dictator who destroys you. The beauty about Jesus and His birth is that He gives you the chance to follow His rule over your life. It is a one-time democratic vote to follow Jesus and His leadership.

You might think that if Jesus rules your life, you will lose your freedoms. That is not true. Your freedoms will still exist, but your desires and your choices change. So let me share with you a few pictures of how Jesus will rule over your life.

WAYS IN WHICH CHRIST RULES OVER YOUR LIFE

He stands up for you.

Satan is a big bully and he leads a gang who is out to hurt you. Jesus stands up for you. He comforts you when you feel down. He is with you and talks with you when you need a friend.

Jesus is your “Personal Big Brother.”

He leads you.

Jesus is your “Personal Trainer” – Biggest Loser Trainer

He not only stands up for you, He leads you. He trains you in “all righteousness.” This means that He leads you in the ways you should go, not just protect you from going the wrong ways.

He provides you personal security and peace.

While Jesus does stand up for you when Satan tries to tempt you, that is like a big brother. But sometimes a big brother can’t do everything. Sometimes, you need a person who can give you security.

Jesus is your “Personal Bodyguard”

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

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